The Motoring Thread

Anyone had any (real) experience with WeBuyAnyCar?

Or can offer any advice generally?

Got an 8 year old Citroen C2 which is just costing too much to run, throwing good money after bad. We worked out that renting would actually be cheaper for how we use it (weekends only), so want to get rid of it.

Basically anything I can get for it (and I mean anything) is a bonus, but obviously I want to get the most I can.

WeBuyAnyCar valued it online at £1400, but I obviously know that will drop when they see the car. Also, that was for "Good" mechanical condition.

My car is generally good, but as mentioned above the back brakes were stuck on so now need skimmed (or possibly replaced), and the engine doesn't fire first time every time on starting. Sometimes it does, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 goes.

Is it worth getting these things fixed by a garage before going to WeBuyAnyCar, to try and get them to offer as high as possible?

Or is it better to not spend any more money on it, and just take it to WeBuyAnyCar and accept whatever they give me?

Or can anyone think of any other options? I don't want the hassle of selling it privately. I'm going to phone my garage later and get an approximate quote for the work that probably needs doing, and see if they (or anyone they know) would be interested in taking it off my hands.

Any advice appreciated!

Definitely don't take it to a garage, there's no way you'll recouperate the cost of the repairs. Try pistonheads - free and lots of people use it or the other usual suspects (ebay, autotrader etc.). Webuyanycar ALWAYS offer less than the initial quote

Not any more, cost £20 to advertise on there a few months back.

ebay seems to be best for car sales, sold 2 through classified ads in the last 12 months, they were also advertised on pistonheads. wouldn't touch autotrader for selling any more.

Sold mine on ebay as a non runner and was hassle free (apart from numerous Nigerians contacting daily), got a relatively good amount for it.

Just used an online valuation with Evans Halshaw:

£1,500.00 - great condition
£1,400.00 - good condition
£1,150.00 - above average condition
£975.00 - average condition
£850.00 - below average condition

I reckon that might be a better (ie safer, less likely to haggle me down excessively) bet than WeBuyAnyCar, opinions?

Yeah, I'm of the same frame of mind, I just want to get it resolved ASAP and not have the hassle of a private sale.

I'm not worried about the hostage-taking and torture, I'm just trying to maximise my chances of getting an acceptable price at the first attempt, as I don't want to go through the process again with someone else if I can help it.

I reckon (perhaps naively) Evans Halshaw might give me a better price simply because they have it broken down with the conditions, so it's a bit more transparent.

pretty sure every car dealer is the same person in a different suit.
if evans give you a shit bid, the sales bloke will just drive to webuy as quick as he can to get there before you and greet you there with the same sort of offer.
all cunts. but better than public cunts knocking on youre door imho.

@ jordan, youre always going to be an exception cos you got a souped up boy racers car, but i honestly dont think there is going to be too much pain at a car in andys condition thats quoted at 850 to a grand.

my car aint souped up, its 100% stock.
i was comparing webuyanycars value, to pistonheads/autotraders going rate for similar spec/year/mileage

not getting into an argument about it man, simply saying why some people might prefer to go through ebay/pistonheads, because they'll get more money, even if it is more hastle

im so not arguing mate. so so not. its terrific discussion.
but going by pistonheads is a fools paradise.
cos the cars on there are 'for sale' not 'sold'.
like i say you could be waiting years to sell it, losing money every month, especially with a specialist sports car.
in andys case,its a car with problems and a grand car at the most, just get it shifted quick smart with no hassle. if that means losing a hundred quid to do so, then hallelujah. (no happy mondays)